Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Where does Writers Block come from?

So yesterday I was asked, “Where does Writers Block come from?”

First and foremost one must not look at writers block as something negative or positive, but as a state of being that is. Whether necessary, asked, appreciated, or acquired, it’s a place of void that slows or disables artistic creation.

So… is writers block a place of void or just simply a break? Is it a necessity for growth or a writer’s worst enemy? Does it fluctuate depending on purpose, emotion, or tool of expression?

Is writer’s block an inability to express emotions or simply a lack of emotions to express? One can argue that writer’s block has nothing to do with emotions at all.

So with that does the ability to express change with the tool of expression? Is writers block different from when a painter is not motivated, or a musician is not feeling the music around them? What is art? Is the act of creation enough to be art? Or does art need to be back by emotions, expressions, and feelings in order for it to feel substantial? And if creation enough encompasses art, then what is the relationship between lack of creation (writers block) being a state of art.

Some express that writer’s block is merely a transition period, a point of reflection, regression, progression, evolution, growth, or change. But if that is so, then what are you leaving and where are you going? Or does neither matter.

As one brother put it, writers block is “The lost of truth in your words. The moment you become untrue is it the moment in which words protest your pen.” Now, this to me seems like a personification of writing. As if writer’s block is the voice for the art. Speaking loud and clear: damn I am over worked; under paid, bored, or just simply something is not aligned. Writers block is the catalyst for truth and clarity to be found.

In questioning the void and absence of the art you begin to question the purpose of its existence. And not just place the value of each word as a factor in creating perfect sentences, but actually molding or changing someone’s thoughts and thinking. If my ability is snatched away at times when I dare not ask or expect, then of course I want to question why it is not there when I think I need it.

So is writer’s block simple a nomad. It comes and goes based on its own freedom, and inclination, not on life, emotions, tools, expression or growth.

Does any of this even really matter?

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